Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has approved, but not yet signed, House Bill 972 to decriminalize simple possession of marijuana. Under the bill, an individual found to be in possession of no more than one ounce of marijuana would be subject to a maximum civil penalty of $25, a significant reduction from the current penalty for simple possession. The legislation would require the criminal records related to previous prosecutions for simple marijuana possession be sealed with disclosure available only under limited circumstances. In addition, the bill would prohibit any employer or educational institution from requiring an applicant to disclose information related to any arrest, criminal charge, or conviction for any decriminalized possession of marijuana.
